In Part 1 of this three-part series, Shawndel Evans, DiversityInc’s strategic lead of diversity pipeline management, shares tips on how job applicants can be successful in a COVID-19-affected job market.
The class of 2020 college graduates have entered a job market that has been derailed and become uncertain because of COVID-19. While finding an entry-level job is often stressful, the effects of the global pandemic have shrunken the pool of openings even further. However, it has not necessarily shrunken opportunities for recent grads and entry-level applicants to stand out.

Shawndel Evans, the strategic lead of diversity pipeline management at DiversityInc, has spent much of his career working in talent acquisition and recruitment. He says for entry-level candidates, being prepared and using resources like job listing sites and email listservs remain important in getting one’s foot in the door. Above all, networking is key, because many job openings never make it to advertised listings. They are instead filled by contacts made through professional networks. Much of this networking can be done remotely.